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I think that 4 to 5 watts per gallon is the optimal light but i found this light on ebay and its 1 x 250 hqi and 2 x 65 compact florescent does anybody think this would be overkill for a 44 gallon pentagon?

Is it to much light for a single mushroom? yes. Is it to much light for some SPS Corals, no. Just when you switch over you need to be careful and place a screen over the tank so your corals don't get hit with all that light at once. You could also keep the fixture up higher over the tank say around a foot or more above the top of the water and/or also reduce the amount of time the lights remain on during the day,

A friend of mine as a 180g tank with 4 x 400W MH with 2 (i think) 110W VHO above his tank and its doing great.

Is your current lighting not working?

whiskeybill8:

1 x 250 hqi and 2 x 65 compact florescent does anybody think this would be overkill for a 44 gallon pentagon?

Nope, go for it. The more light the better

My only question is are you going to keep your current tank for awhile or move up in size? If your going to move up in size you may want to plan for that.

ragvette:

whiskeybill8:

1 x 250 hqi and 2 x 65 compact florescent does anybody think this would be overkill for a 44 gallon pentagon?

Nope, go for it. The more light the better

My only question is are you going to keep your current tank for awhile or move up in size? If your going to move up in size you may want to plan for that.

The more light the better is bad advise, unless your talking sps.

reefman:

ragvette:

whiskeybill8:

1 x 250 hqi and 2 x 65 compact florescent does anybody think this would be overkill for a 44 gallon pentagon?

Nope, go for it. The more light the better

My only question is are you going to keep your current tank for awhile or move up in size? If your going to move up in size you may want to plan for that.

The more light the better is bad advise, unless your talking sps.

 

 

I would say buying an under powered lighting system and find out that 6 months down the road that it doesn't meet your requirements is bad advise. Of course if your getting the lighting system dirt cheap from someone else who purchased an under powered lighting system and is upgrading to a better system then go for it. 

Bottom line is you don't want to be spending $$$$ twice on a lighting system if you can help it.

ragvette:

reefman:

The more light the better is bad advise, unless your talking sps.

 

 

I would say buying an under powered lighting system and find out that 6 months down the road that it doesn't meet your requirements is bad advise. Of course if your getting the lighting system dirt cheap from someone else who purchased an under powered lighting system and is upgrading to a better system then go for it. 

Bottom line is you don't want to be spending $$$$ twice on a lighting system if you can help it.

Like this guy for example, click here. 

 if you plan on keeping sps then purchase a better lighting friom the start, if not then purchase T5's at the very min. I have seen some great looking tanks with sps and T5's on it.

MhUser:

 if you plan on keeping sps then purchase a better lighting friom the start, if not then purchase T5's at the very min. I have seen some great looking tanks with sps and T5's on it.

Thank you!

Think ahead if you can and purchase the lighting system that you think you'll have for the long run. I purchased some PC lights when I first got into the hobby and wish that I spend the few dollars more on the MH.

e000:

Think ahead if you can and purchase the lighting system that you think you'll have for the long run. I purchased some PC lights when I first got into the hobby and wish that I spend the few dollars more on the MH.

Good point. Reggy`s point was good too. The man who is selling his light. had the right light for a fresh water tank. Now he see`s what a reef tank look`s like and he want`s one. Can we blame him, no look at what we have. He  never thought about a reef tell know . I would not tell any one to just go out and git the best of any thing. first ask what you want, than what you may want down the road.

e000:

Think ahead if you can and purchase the lighting system that you think you'll have for the long run. I purchased some PC lights when I first got into the hobby and wish that I spend the few dollars more on the MH.

 

good tip